The team was led by quarterback Alex Smith, who struggled through his first six years with the team.

“You can just see his confidence grow – his body language, the way he plays,” John Madden told the KCBS morning crew, also praising the rest of the team and the coaching staff. “They became a complete team. It’s not just Alex Smith (who) won it or lost it. I mean, Alex Smith was part of it, Frank Gore breaks Joe Perry’s record, their offensive line is good, their defense is very good… They’re just not one dimensional in any way.”